The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1887-04-15

Pretty little Manda did not, however.
r grasp the meaning of her kind hostess.
Something particular for neon the
bureau, she repeated, turningup the lamp,
which had smoked the room TO a con
difion more homely than healthful. And
she locke TO see what it could be. Mrs.
! Wesioott, had made a mistake. The gar
ment referred TO she had laid on the foot
/ Of the bed There was nothing on the
! bureau but the hair brush and comb.
stop, yes, there was. There was parcel
snapped carefully and addressed-with
Manda's own initials "a. HI What
was III A surpl isei How nice, Mamie
! looked again ATo-A. H. Yes, she
pAs not mistaken. Amanda Hardy. Of
course. With trembling fingers she IN
fastened the wrapping.
! "Ohi Oh Oh
Manda was only a woman, and only
seventeen.
"A yalen;inel What a perfectly beau
tiful Talentinel Who could have and
then rs she turned it over she caught
sight Of:'FrOm your most true and faith
ful Job westcott
Mznda took the valentine in one hand.
the lamp in the other, and sat down on
the side Of the bed. it was really an ar
tistic piece Of work. A beautiful land
seape delightfully."- painted. Then the
elegant nest Of swans down! Then
what was most important of all-the
poetry She had not at first perceived
this. Thus it WAS all the more en-
traneing:
Beloved, Aye, truly this thou art;
Beloved in name
Manda nodded her head joyously.
He knew my name means beloved
Oh, he Is very talented always thought
him intellectual But who would have
dreamed Of his sending me such a lovely
thing He blushed AT the supper table.
Does he really care much for me, won
der. But, then, didn't think I'd ever
given him much encouragement.
Dear little guileless Mandal Quite
pretty enough for any young farmer. or
indeed for many city chap. Sparkling
gray eyes; splendid chestnut hair: dim
ples, red lips and 2 smooth white brow
Plump. sweet-tempered and true hearted,
She fell asleep signing family over the
innocent problem: Ibid Job mean to
propose 10 her some dayl And if so
what would she answer him:"
She oversight herself the next morning,
and consequently the linen folks were
ali through and gone out TO work when
She took her breakfast.
They're fixing roads and fences, > ex-
planned Mrs. WestcOtt. That's how
they're of earlier than usual. You know
We don't gener'ly keep two hired men
this time Of year; but there's extra work y
Mandy blushed and spoke shyly: 1.-THE
valentine job gave me was perfectly love
~ ! was SC surprised and pleased 1t
was awtnlly good of him to think Of it.
Ms. Westcctt looked puzzled.
"A valeutinel Did job give you onei''
why, yes; didn't you know what was
in the parcel!'
in the parcel.7 Mrs. Westcott CON
tinued. puzzled
''Yes, in the parcel you told me was
very particular on the bureau-don't |
you remember, last nighti'
sOn the bureaul o, yes, of course"
Poor Mrs. Westcott She knew that |
there was some mistake. She was not /
quite certain what it was; but ''some one
had blundered- Being woman, she
had sufficient tact TO wait and see.
The poetry" said Manda, Twas very
pretty indeed, and the painting-why, |
now, honestly, Mrs. Westcott, didn't you |
know-haven't you looked at it.''
''l'll 20 up now and take look at it, -
said the elder lady. Il had suddenly |
dawned upon her that an unfortunate
souvenir Of the Humphreys girl'' affair
had been left in the spare chamber.
Manda remained to finish her break
fast. Just as his mother slipped up stairs
job entered.
To him Manda, crimson as a Jacquemi-
not:
Il am 50 much obliged for the valen-
tine, Mr.. Westcott. 1t was perfectly
beautiful. And If was so thoughtful Of
you was Just telling your mother.
She's gone up TO look at it. | supposed,
Of COURSE, she had seen il, especially as it
was she who told me last night about it
being on my bureau and cautioned me
not TO miss finding it. How well YOU
guessed my taste, tool / know there
can't have been prettier one in town.
She was growing very much embar-
saving. But as for Job-Job had sim
ply collapsed. At first he thought she
might be joking. Then the truth oc-
currsd to him. The valentine he had
bought for Adeiine Humphreys. Manda
Hardy had accepted it,
He tried TO speak. but could find no
words. He stammered shockingly Sud
denly, ia sheer despair, he dashed from
the house and out Of sight.
Manda was startled for n moment.
Then she said to herself softly-aImost
fenderly:
why, he's real bashful. l didn't
know that But always knew he was
real Intellectual
Nrs. westcott returned with cheerful
coaafeuarce-
They get up such things real elab'r-
4feiy nowadays,r she said, smilingly.
Was that Job that came in and went
out againi'
Yes said Malda in low. sweet
voice. Il didn't m~ln TO annoy him.
ihanked for presents.
4 guess he's a little that way said
Mr.. wes;cot; with a slight sigh.
As for Jobi Well. he rushed away
from the house and down through the
apple orchard. completely overcome by
be new experience
Manda Hardy thought he meant that
raleafine for her. Every hair Of his
head seemed 20 stand on end That val
eufiBe with all the love poetry in IT, And
with the signature, Her most true and
faffhfui Job HsstcOft
He groaned, What a mess I'm in
Whzf'!l dof Whaf'll she thinks Why /
I suppose she'll think I'm in love with
herr What did leave it lying around
fars What II she thought l meant TO
uroD0sei It's likely as not OH and
he eaded IL q gToan. Great seott..7
Bot, happily second chagrin is the
most e1ectual cure for a first one. In 1
Ibis new dilemma he Gel: his other
trouble grow suddenly lighter and less
important.
hzada Was here, at his home; there
vas no keeping on; Of hei sight; no
nursing his modification unknown to /
Der. No, be must face it boldly; he
mssf-fnenage somehow.
Al Ill ..a-f.nr.a - ..-nt,ll L. a rraad ]